Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-07-12
Independence Day 'e7-Mr. G.
B. Rouss Entertains his old
Friends in the Court
House Yard.

n
Hearty Welcome and Greetings By all Around to
the 3fitstonai,r Merchant Old and Rotng En-
joy tie Good Chee,--Ref Treatments in Ao,s,d-
ance-Ere'ybody Hdpps- G,und fyrotec1nic
Display at Night.
| IFrom the Winchester Times.I
| Independence day was truly gala day in
Winchester. Hundreds of the friends of Mr..
.. B; Rou:s, from country and city, were en-
naples. 1t was truly refreshing sight to see
the numerous thron. of guests of mine host
seated at long tables filled with good cheer pro-
\ vided by their liberal-hearted friend Charles b.
Ice cream of many fiavors by the hundred gal
Ions, cakes and candies in superabundance
were dispensed with a liberal hand by the corps
Splendid day with bright blue skies and Just
enough breeze from our fair Southland to make
1t delightful. 1t has never been orr lot to have
been present at a social gathering where more
| enjoyed themselves, and merriment was the
order of the hour. Friend Rouss was the CEN
tire of attraction and many were the warm
greetings he received from old friends. Strang-
ers to him sought an introduction by hun
dreds, and were we'll repaid by holding a few
minutes conversation with one OF natures no.
blemen. II truly resembled the levee of some
distinguished man high up in the councils OF
| the nation. In mercantile circles Mr.. Rouss
stands Mt the top. and Is justly entitled to the
respect and admiration of our people for his
|
ance, has overcome all Obstacles.
THE CROWD GATnERs-spEEcnEs OF WELCOME.
At 10 o'clock the Court House Square and
streets adjacent were filled with people, After
| the Friendship Cornet Band. who occupied the
band stand. rendered number of popular airs.
Mr.. r. e. Byrd introduced Mr.. C. B. Rouss in
| a handsome speech in which he said have
| been asked by the Friendship Band to make u
| few remarks in honor of the advent of a most
welcome aud distinguished guest, Mr.. c. B.
Rouss. I was not old enough to know the
gentleman when he resided here, but have.
since he left us. heard volumes of his noble and
generous nature. This distinguished gentle
man is now king among merchants, Napo-
leon in commerce and, best of all. prince of
good fellows. He has stood by his friends who
have stood by him. / beg to tender him the
| freedom of the city of Winchester in the name
of the band and fire company and the citizens
of Winchester and county of Frederick. AL
low NE to introduce to you Mr.. Chas. Broad
way Rouss. [Grcat chcerng.1
| Mr.. C. B. Rouss responded in an admirable
speech in which he thanked the immense gath
ering for their hearty welcome; referred hu-
morously to his youthful days and his mercan-
tile career when he was with Mr. Jacob Sense
new, getting S1.00 week. His speech was in-
terspersed with several anecdotes which cycit-
ed the risibles of the crowd. After thanking
! the crowd In an eloquent maDuer he introduced
| Parson Fries. his old schoolmastcr of many
years ago, who made an interesting address of
about twenty minutes.
| Just at this time the Bethel Grange band ar
rived OH the scene and rendered some excellent
music. Mr.. William Rely. of the Times. then
announced that the entertainment was ready.
and soon the long tables were filled by hun
dreds of people. young and old. His colorcd
| friends were amply provided for at separate
tables. As soon as the tables were empty they
were flied aguin with people until the hum
dreds of gallons of cream and cakes by the
hundred pounds was exhausted. Cigars were
| also beautifully furnished the great CROWD.
Mr. Rouss held a lcree after the entertain
ment and hundred and hundreds of his fellow
&I,s htr thn
hand and welcomed him to our midst and
wished him God speed in his mission in life
THE PrRoTEcHS1cAL DISPLAY.
! A large crowd. estimated at 5000. gathered
in front of the Court House in the evening to
| witness the handsome display of fireworks sent
from New York which were set off under the
auspices of Friendship Fire Company. 1t was
truly magnificent display and was much ell
joycd by all. For hours the adniring throng
stood on tiptoc of excitement waiting for each
piece to bc fired and cxclaiming In words of
praise Us it wendell its way hcavenward. The
| selections of pieces were excellent and gave
| grand finish to the gala Independence day of
1887, whose pleasures will be remembered for
wears to come by all. old and young. The re-
collections of tho donor will be indcllibly
stamped upon the memories of hundreds OF
little ones who were the recipients of Mr.. C..
B. Rouss' princely munificcncc.
NOTES AND INCIDENTS.
Boys Again.
The game of marbles by Mr.. Chas. W. He'll
sell. one of our leading Main street merchants,
and the Broadway merchant prince. Mr.. G. b.
| ROuss. was one of the most Interesting features
of the day. These gentlemen were old school
| boys and hundreds arranged themselves around
the ring and Charlie r.. with his coat off, went
at the business with his usual zeal. and as usual
| came out victorious.
| Mayor F. \. GrIichcn. representatives of the
press, leading merchants of the city and farm
| crs of the county sat at the table occupied by
Mr.. c. B. Rouss. Many little plcasantries re-
ferring to the oldcn days were INDUCED in.
Hundreds of ladies graced the square with
their bright smiles. but G. b. was equal to the
occasion and with hat in hand he had q pleas
ant word for all.
At times it rescmbled Presidential leree. so
great was the press and desire of the thrOng to
grasp the hand of Mr.. Rouss. -
| 1t would take two papers the size of the
Times to note all the incidents of the day and
night. Charlie was the lion OF the occasion
and none were too poor or humble to approach
him and receive the kind word aud hearty
greeting. In numerous instances we observe
the true nature of the noblenan. After shak-
ing the hand of some poor unfortunate lie
passed rapidly on. The party was surprised
to find upon opening the same reminder in
the shape of an \ or v remaining therein.
The " Little Giant" the Sarah Zune's new
steamer, was exhibited in the afternoon for
the amusement of Mr.. Rouss. who expressed
himself as much gratified with its performance.
Mr.. Rouss was the recipient of a large num-
Der of handsome boQucts which he gracefully
accepted.
Parson Fries of Greenfield, Ind. brother of
Jacob and Geo. Fries. of Grecnspring. in this
county, called on IFS Saturday. He is an old
friend of Mr.. c. b. Rouss, having been his
teacher forty-six years ago. He came here by
special invitation of Mr.: Rouss to be present at
the reunion of his friends. Mr.. Fries is good
old Jacksonian Democrat.
The display of fireworks was the finest since
the war. with the possible exception of those
of the N. E. Veterans. Large numbers of
country people living within few miles came
to the city to witness the display. Main street
and Courthouse avenue was perfect mass of
| human beings.
The Friendship Fire Co. kindly gave up the
| Courthouse yard to Mr.. Rouss for the eIter-
tainmcnt of his guests. He ordered 800 worth
OF cream and cake from the fire laddics This
company had n splendid parade at night I'M
der their gallant Captain Hardy: They
marched through our streets in perfect blaze
of FIRE from the rockets. Roman candles, etc.
The anniversary of Americas natal
day, the 4th of July, was grandly
celebrated in Martinsburg. The
| 70 tba 5ic,1Iox, Of